Armstrong said that his role for the Tour of California was all about supporting Levi Leipheimer get his third straight victory in the race.

“I saw Levi a couple of times this winter, and then of course at training camp, so I knew he was focused and motivated,” Armstrong said. “Nobody came in here with any expectation but to ride for Levi.

“As long as I can continue to achieve my goals from the cancer perspective, if I ride all year as a domestique, it's still a win-win for me. It might be good for me personally too.

“I've spent 15 years sitting on people's wheels, so it felt good to be up front and pulling weight. I was just excited to be here. We don't mind working for Levi. There was no doubt in our minds that he was going to be strong.”

No strolling
If spectators along Palomar Mountain were impressed with how fast the cyclists can climb, so was Leipheimer.

“With the speed that we went up Palomar, and the riders that we were surrounded with, especially in the last kilometer, I had to remind myself that it was February in California because it felt like the Alps in July,” he said. “Like Lance said, it (Palomar Mountain) is legit.”
Pump up the volume
It's no surprise, but Leipheimer said the riders get off on the fans.

“The riders feed off of it and race harder and more aggressive; everyone comes with their 'A' game,” he said. “The crowds really motivate us a lot.”
Short hits
Great Britain's Mark Cavendish won the overall race's sprinter's jersey.

Robert Gesink of the Netherlands was named best young rider.

Jason McCartney held onto the climbing lead win the King of the Mountain jersey as the race's best climber.

AEG Sports President Andrew Messick said organizers are considering changing the date of the event because rain has hampered the race in the past.